Ever since the tax benefits were put in place in the sub-4 metre space, India’s compact sedan segment has been brimming with options. Now, Volkswagen has joined the party as well by launching the Ameo at an aggressive pricing of Rs 5.24 lakh.

Can the Ameo hold ground against its established rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire, the Hyundai Xcent, the Honda Amaze and the Ford Figo Aspire? Let’s find out on paper:

Design and Dimensions

Based on their hatchback counterparts, all these cars resemble them identically till the B-pillar. In terms of dimensions, the Ameo, Swift DZire, Figo Aspire and the Xcent all measure 3,995mm in length. The Amaze is shorter by 5mm at 3990mm. The Swift DZire and the Figo Aspire are the widest with a width of 1,695mm whereas the Hyundai Xcent is the narrowest at 1,660mm. The Dzire is the tallest with a height of 1,555mm whereas the new kid on the block – Ameo – is the shortest at 1,483mm.

Engine

The Figo Aspire diesel is powered by a 1.5-litre engine which produces 100PS of power and 215Nm of torque, which makes it the most powerful car in this selection of compact sedans. The Amaze comes in at second with another 1500cc mill that is good for 100PS and 200Nm.

However, Volkswagen is currently updating its 1.5-litre diesel engine which will make its way in the Ameo as well. It is expected to churn out around 108PS of power along with a class-leading 230Nm of torque.

Elsewhere, the Swift DZire uses the tried and tested 1.3-litre Multijet pot that has been tuned to produce 75PS of power along with 190Nm of torque.

The Hyundai Xcent is the most relaxed out of the lot with just 71PS of power along with 180Nm of torque, drawn from a 1.1-litre diesel engine.

Speaking of the petrol variants, the Honda Amaze and the Figo Aspire have 1.2-litre four cylinder engines which produce an identical power output of 88PS. All the other cars in comparison here use a 1.2-litre three cylinder motor.